FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
S
TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
Jeanine Blomberg
Commissioner of Education
CONTACT PERSONS
Name:
Mary Jo Butler
Anna Moore
Phone:
850.245.0479
E-mail:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
anna.moore@fldoe.org
K12:
2007
-149
MEMORANDUM
TO:
District Superintendents
FROM
: Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.
DATE:
September 28, 2007
SUBJECT: CONTROLLED OPEN
ENROLLMENT PLANS FOR 2007-2008
Section 1002.31(2), Florida Statutes (Public school parental choice), requires each school
district to develop a controlled open enrollment plan and submit the plan to the Commissioner of
Education. Controlled open enrollment is the system by which school districts make student
school assignments based on parents’ preferential school choice as a significant factor. The
controlled open enrollment program must be offered in addition to the existing choice programs
such as magnet schools, alternative schools, special programs, advanced placement, and dual
enrollment.
Planning for school choice requires each school district to develop a system of priorities that
considers nine quality indicators as required by Florida law. These indicators provide a
comprehensive framework for districts to use in determining the scope of the choice plan, laying
a firm foundation for implementing the plan, and promoting optimal parental involvement.
325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
Controlled Open Enrollment Plans for 2007-2008
September 28, 2007
Page 2
In order to comply with Section 1002.31(2), Florida Statutes, we ask that you complete the
enclosed form to indicate which of the nine quality indicators your district plan specifically
addresses. If your district choice plan is accessible online, please provide a direct link on the
attached form. If your district choice plan is not available online, please e-mail a copy to Mary
Jo Butler at maryjo.butler@fldoe.org or mail a copy of your district’s controlled open enrollment
plan to Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Public School Options, 325 W. Gaines
Street, Suite 316, Tallahassee, FL 32399.
All forms and copies of district controlled open enrollment plans should be submitted to the
Bureau by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time on October 31, 2007
.
School choice empowers parents and gives them a tool to use in ensuring their children get the
very best educational program. School choice programs in Florida are in high demand and
growing as an increasing number of families take advantage of their right and responsibility to
select the most appropriate learning option for their children. Thank you for your leadership and
commitment to ensuring all students have opportunities to access the highest quality academic
program and support services.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Bureau of Public School
Options at 850.245.0479.
CPY:MJB:am
Enclosure
cc: Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
School Choice Contacts
Controlled Open Enrollment Plan
Information Form
2007-2008 School Year
Please complete this form, including the direct web-link for the district’s controlled open enrollment plan,
and return this form to our office by
5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time on October 31, 2007
.
District
District’s Plan Link
____________________________________
_________________________________________________
Our district is currently under a federal desegregation order.
CONTROLLED OPEN ENROLLMENT DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: ______________________________________________________________________________
Title: ______________________________________________________________________________
Email Address: ________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number: ____________________________________________________________________
NINE QUALITY INDICATORS OF CONSIDERATION – CHECK ALL INDICATORS ADDRESSED IN YOUR DISTRICT’S
CONTROLLED OPEN ENROLLMENT PLAN
District Application Process
Lottery Procedure to Determine
Student Assignment
Availability of Transportation
Process for Declaring School
Preferences
Appeals Process for Hardship
Cases
Process for Promoting Strong
Parental Involvement-Including the
Designation of a Parent Liaison
Process that Encourages
Placement of Siblings within the
Same School
Procedure to Maintain
Socioeconomic, Demographic,
and Racial Balance
Strategy for Establishing an
Information Clearinghouse
SUPERINTENDENT’S ASSURANCE
The filing of this form indicates that the district’s controlled open enrollment plan has been authorized by
the governing body of the district, and the undersigned representative has been duly authorized to file this
form and act as the authorized representative of the district in connection with this plan.
I, ______________________________, do hereby certify that all facts, figures, and representations
made on this form and connecting plan are true, correct, and consistent with statutory requirements. The
plan will be reviewed periodically, and revisions may be made as necessary. All records necessary to
substantiate these requirements will be available for review by appropriate state staff. Further, I
understand that it is the responsibility of the superintendent to obtain from the governing body the
authorization for the submission of this form and corresponding plan.
___________________________________________________ _____________________
Superintendent Signature Date
